Armchair BEA 2014--Introducing myself

I'm so happy to be taking part in BEA again this year; it's (I think) my third time.  Here's my introductory post.

Everything I say in my "about me" section is true.

My name really is Charlotte.  It has taken me a long time to accept this fact, because a. I had an embarrassing childhood nickname  b. I couldn't spell Charlotte c.  "charlotte" means diminished, feminine version of manly man.  Ick.

I am an archaeologist living in Rhode Island (having previously admitted to living in New England, I became so find-able via google that there is no point to denying it any longer.  A search for "Charlotte" "archaeology" "new england" takes you to my work, a picture of which is shown at right.  My office is the two basement windows at the right, where they used to hold prisoners awaiting trial.  Now it's just me. 

Back when I was a little girl, I never thought I would live in Rhode Island, but then grad school happened, a job in my field happened, and then marriage (to an Irish piper and ethnomusicologist), house (old and needy, but attractive), and children (boys--13 and 11, also needy but reasonably attractive) all happened, in that order.  For a few years, chickens happened too, but that is behind me now thank goodness.  (The town animal control person only came twice, but that was plenty.  It was a happy day when the local Poultry Whisperer pulled into the driveway to take the last one away....)

Happily for me, Rhode Island has turned out to be a fine place to live.  (Although it could use a few mountains.  We have no mountains.  The landfill is doing its best, but it is not quite there yet.)

And then blogging happened, seven and a half years ago, and it has brought me much joy, many lovely friends, and lots of books. 

I have found myself over the years concentrating my blogging on middle grade science fiction and fantasy (mg sff)--books for kids 9-12 ish.   It is especially lovely to be reading this particular genre at this point in my life, because my 11-year-old and his friends are avid readers of these books as well, which allows fun sharing of books and thoughts.   If any of you all who are new to my blog are at all interested in mg sff, I do a round-up every Sunday of all the mg sff posts and reviews I can find.

And for those who might be new to the children's book blogging side of things, I'd like to put in a plug for the Kidlitosphere, which offers a directory of bloggers, an email group, and an annual conference, all of which new folks can become part of.  The Kidlit Conference (this year in Sacramento in October) is one of the best parts of being a children's book blogger--it is so, so, lovely to be among kindred spirits (and I don't think any of the past participants regret going).

(I'm on twitter as @charlotteslib)